Wildlife deterring windmill

ABSTRACT

Described herein are various systems and techniques for deterring wildlife from an area proximate a windmill. A flying wildlife emitter may be utilized for such techniques. The flying wildlife emitter may output soundwaves to deter wildlife, such as birds or bats, from entering an area around the windmill. The flying wildlife emitter may include a speaker for producing sounds as well as a controller and sensors for determining conditions around the windmill and for controlling the sound produced by the speaker. An ultraviolet emitter may, additionally or alternatively, be utilized for such techniques. The ultraviolet emitter may be configured to emit ultraviolet light that may attract wildlife away from such areas proximate to the windmill.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent document is a continuation in part of and claims the benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/184,315, titled “WildlifeDeterring Windmill”, by Timothy Just, filed 24 Feb. 2021, (AttorneyDocket No. JUSTP003X1), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to windmills. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to windmills and windmillattachments that prevent bird, bat, and other wildlife fatalitiesresulting from the propeller blades of the windmills.

BACKGROUND

Wildlife fatalities caused by windmills is a prevalent problem. Forexample, bird or bats may migrate, congregate, or fly through an areawith windmills. The rotation of the propellers of windmills may strikeflying animals such as bird or bats or may create large low pressureareas that damage the internal organs of such animals. As such, duringmigration season, windmills need to be shut down to avoid ravagingwildlife populations. The need to shutdown causes serious downtime forthese windmills, decreasing their return on investment and the amount ofpower that they can generate.

SUMMARY

Provided are various mechanisms and processes for deterring wildlifefrom entering an area proximate to a windmill. In a certain embodiment,a windmill may be disclosed. The windmill may include a generator, aplurality of windmill propellers, coupled to the generator and includingat least a first windmill propeller, a first flying wildlife emitter,coupled to the first windmill propeller, where the first flying wildlifeemitter includes a speaker configured to generate soundwaves audible toat least one of birds or bats, a post coupled to the generator, and anultraviolet emitter, disposed on the post, and configured to generateultraviolet wavelength light.

In a further embodiment, a system may be disclosed. The system mayinclude a windmill and an an ultraviolet emitter, configured to generateultraviolet wavelength light. The windmill may include a generator, aplurality of windmill propellers, coupled to the generator and includingat least a first windmill propeller, and a first flying wildlifeemitter, coupled to the first windmill propeller, where the first flyingwildlife emitter includes a speaker configured to generate soundwavesaudible to at least one of birds or bats, and

These and other embodiments are described further below with referenceto the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible structures and operations for the disclosedinventive systems, apparatus, methods and computer program productsdescribed herein. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form anddetail that may be made by one skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosed implementations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representation of a windmill within an operatingenvironment, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates a representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates another representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a controller system, in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow process for determining an output frequencyfor a flying wildlife emitter, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow process for determining a rotational range ofa warning light, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a representation of a windmill with a flying wildlifeemitter and an ultraviolet emitter, in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a representation of an ultraviolet emitter, inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow process for operating a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter and an ultraviolet emitter, in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow process for operating a light of a windmill,in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure describes techniques, methods, systems, apparatus, andcomputer program products that may be used during operation of awindmill. As described herein, a flying wildlife emitter may outputsoundwaves to deter wildlife such as birds or bats from entering an areaaround the windmill. Typically, birds and bats are susceptible to injuryor death due to the operation of windmills. While birds are typicallystruck by windmill propeller blades, bats typically avoid the propellerblades due to their sonar sensing, but after avoiding the blade, mayenter the area vacated by the propeller blade. However, the negativepressure present on the backside of the propeller blade may then causebats to suffer catastrophic lung failure. Bats congregate near windmillsas windmills generate small micro environments of tornadoes. Insects aredrawn to these micro environments and the bats utilize these bugs assources of food. Bat fatalities are particularly disastrous for foodgeneration in this country, as bats do a tremendous amount ofpollination.

Currently, during peak migration periods, or other periods, windmillsare required to be shut down to avoid excessive wildlife fatalities.When windmills are shut down, power is unable to be generated.

In certain embodiments, the flying wildlife emitter may be removablycoupled to the windmill (e.g., may be retrofitted to existing windmillpropeller blades). Such removably coupled flying wildlife emitters mayinclude power generation components to power the flying wildlifeemitters. In other embodiments, the flying wildlife emitter may besemi-permanently coupled to a windmill propeller blade and may, thus, bepowered by the windmill. The flying wildlife emitter may deter wildlifefrom moving proximate to the windmill while the windmill is operating.Thus, the flying wildlife emitter may allow for gains in powergeneration as windmills may no longer need to be shut down during peakmigration periods, or during other such periods.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representation of a windmill within an operatingenvironment, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 1illustrates system 100 that includes windmill 102 with flying wildlifeemitter 108.

Windmill 102 may include nacelle 104. Nacelle 104 may house anelectrical generator that is configured to generate electrical power.The electrical generator may generate electricity through rotation. Theelectrical generator may be powered by propeller 106, which may beconfigured to spin the electrical generator. Propeller 106 may bepowered by wind in the general environment and may include a profileefficient for powering by the wind. As such, wind may drive propeller106 to turn the electrical generator within nacelle 104 to generateelectrical power.

Flying wildlife emitter 108 may be coupled to propeller 106. In variousembodiments, flying wildlife emitter 108 may be removably coupled to(e.g., retrofitted onto) or semi-permanently coupled to (e.g.,integrated into) propeller 106. Propeller 106 may include light 110.Light 110 may be positioned on an end of propeller 106 to providewarning to aircraft and other flying vehicles as to the presence ofpropeller 106. In various embodiments, light 110 may be operated in acontinuously illuminated manner and/or in a periodically illuminatedmanner (e.g., strobed).

Windmill 102 may include a plurality of propellers 106 and one, some, orall of them may include one or more flying wildlife emitters 108. Invarious embodiments, only one flying wildlife emitter 108 may generateenough soundwaves to deter wildlife from flying close enough topropeller 106 (e.g., flying within zone 112) and, thus, minimize therisk of operation of windmill 102 to such wildlife. Other embodimentsmay require a plurality of flying wildlife emitters 108. In certainembodiments, each of the blades of propeller 106 may include the samenumber of flying wildlife emitters 108 for weight balance.

Flying wildlife emitter 108 may be configured to emit soundwaves todeter wildlife from entering zone 112. Thus, flying wildlife emitter 108may be configured to emit soundwaves of certain frequencies. Soundwavesof certain such frequencies may deter wildlife from entering zone 112.In the example of FIG. 1, flying wildlife 114 may be present in the areaaround windmill 102. The soundwaves generated by flying wildlife emitter108 may deter wildlife from entering zone 112.

In certain embodiments, the frequencies generated by flying wildlifeemitter 108 may be tailored based on the animals that flying wildlifeemitter 108 is configured to deter from entering zone 112. As such, thefrequencies may be tailored depending on the type of animal (e.g., bird,bat, insect, or another type of animal), the species of the animal,and/or the size of zone 112 desired. In certain such embodiments, thefrequency or volume may be accordingly configured and the sound may beaudible or inaudible to humans. In certain such embodiments, thefrequency and/or volume may be varied during operation of flyingwildlife emitter 108. Thus, for example, the frequency or volume maychange depending on the detected position of flying wildlife emitter 108(e.g., whether it's at the top, bottom, or side of the rotation) and/orother conditions described herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates a representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 2Aillustrates system 200A that includes propeller 106 and flying wildlifeemitter 108. Propeller 106 may be a propeller blade of a windmill, asdescribed herein.

Flying wildlife emitter 108 may be coupled to propeller 106. In certainembodiments, flying wildlife emitter 108 may be removably coupledpropeller 106 or semi-permanently coupled. As shown in FIG. 2A, flyingwildlife emitter 108 may include coupler 216. Coupler 216 may be, forexample, one or more of mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts,rivets, and other mechanical fasteners), welding, adhesives, mechanicalcomponents (e.g., brackets), and/or other such items that may secureflying wildlife emitter 108 to propeller 106. For semi-permanentlymounted embodiments, flying wildlife emitter 108 may be integratedwithin propeller 106 (e.g., may be fully or partially internallyintegrated within the blade of propeller 106). Accordingly, some or allportions of flying wildlife emitter 108 may be disposed within propeller106.

Flying wildlife emitter 108 may additionally include speaker 202,controller 204, emitter propeller 206, generator 208, servo 210, battery212, circuitry 214, and sensors 218. Furthermore, in certainembodiments, light 110 may be powered by generator 208 and/or battery212 of flying wildlife emitter 108 via circuitry 220, but otherembodiments may power light 110 with power from the windmill and/or thepower grid. Such circuitry, as described herein, may include electricalwiring and/or other circuitry configured to provide electrical power.Additionally or alternatively, such circuitry may also include wired orwireless communications techniques that may communicate data.

Controller 204 may be a controller with one or more memories andprocessors. The processors may be any appropriate single or multi-coreprocessor. The memory may include any type of harddrive, solid state, orother transitory or non-transitory memory that support processing aswell as store instructions for performing operations as describedherein. In various embodiments, controller 204 may be configured tocontrol operations of portions of flying wildlife emitter 108 (e.g.,operation of servo 210) and/or may control operations of the windmill ingeneral. In certain such embodiments, circuitry 214 may provide data foroperation of controller 204 as well as for controller 204 to directoperations of the components described herein.

Speaker 202 may be configured to produce sounds as described herein.Speaker 202 may be configured to produce sounds in a range offrequencies and amplitudes. Such frequency and amplitude ranges may beconfigured to deter wildlife from traveling close to propeller 106and/or other portions of the windmill. For example, speaker 202 may beconfigured to produce sound at frequencies of between 0.5 kilohertz(kHz) to 300 kHz at amplitudes appropriate to warn wildlife away frompropeller 106 or other portions of the windmill.

For example, controller 204, communicatively coupled to speaker 202, maybe configured to cause speaker 202 to generate sound in certainfrequencies. Accordingly, for example, controller 204 may determine incertain situations that speaker 202 should be deterring bats frompropeller 106 or other portions of the windmill. As such, controller 204may cause speaker 202 to produce sounds of between 9 to 200 kHz as suchfrequencies may be within the hearing capacity of bats. Additionally oralternatively, controller 204 may cause speaker 202 to produce sounds ofbetween 1 to 4 kHz as such frequencies may be within the hearingcapacity of birds. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the soundemitted may deter bugs or other wildlife and, accordingly, deter animalsthat feed on them (e.g., bats) from being proximate to the windmill.

In certain embodiments, the types of animals may be predetermined (e.g.,by inputs and/or data communicated to controller 204 from an externalsource). In other embodiments, sensors 218 may include, for example,visual, infrared, radar, lidar, sound, and/or other types of sensorsthat may collect data related to the environment around the windmill,communicate the data to controller 204, and allow for controller 204 todetermine the types of wildlife nearby. Based on the determination ofthe types of wildlife nearby, an appropriate frequency or frequencyrange may be selected for speaker 202.

Speaker 202 may be powered by generator 208, battery 212, and/or anotherelectrical power source (e.g., may be electrically coupled to thecircuitry of the windmill and may be powered from electrical powergenerated by the electrical windmill and/or may be powered by electricalpower from the grid). Battery 212 may receive and store power fromgenerator 208. Battery 212 may be any type of appropriate battery, suchas a lead acid battery, a solid state battery, and/or another such typeof battery.

Generator 208 may be configured to produce electrical power when aportion of generator 208 is rotated. Thus, generator 208 may be, incertain embodiments, an alternator or other type of generator. Forexample, rotation of the portion of generator 208 may causeelectromagnetic fields to be generated and produce electrical power. Incertain embodiments, generator 208 may, thus include various coils,windings, and/or other such components. In various embodiments,circuitry 214 may transmit power generated by generator 208 to battery212 and/or may communicate such power to the various components offlying wildlife emitter 108.

In various embodiments, generator 208 may be rotated by emitterpropeller 206. Emitter propeller 206 may be configured to spin whilepropeller 106 is rotating. As such, the profile of emitter propeller 206may be a profile that allows for emitter propeller 206 to be efficientlydriven (e.g., rotated) when propeller 106 is, for example in rotation(e.g., along direction of rotation 250). As windmills may be oriented toface the wind and emitter propellers may be oriented in a direction atan angle to that of the main propeller of the windmill, such aconfiguration may allow for emitter propeller 206 to be driven while thedirection of the wind would not typically drive emitter propeller 206.

In certain other embodiments, generator 208 may be powered by kineticenergy generated by rotation of propeller 106 (e.g., from the angularacceleration produced by rotation of propeller 106). Generator 208 may,thus, be a kinetic energy generator. In such embodiments, emitterpropeller 206 and servo 210 may be absent.

In certain embodiments, the pitch angle of emitter propeller 206 may bevaried. For example, servo 210 may be coupled to a portion of emitterpropeller 206 (e.g., via one or more linkages coupled to a base of apropeller, configured to rotate the propeller) and may be configured tocontrol the pitch angle of emitter propeller 206. Servo 210 may orientthe pitch of emitter propeller 206 at an angle that allows for emitterpropeller 206 to rotate at an optimal speed to turn generator 208 whileminimizing drag. The pitch angle of emitter propeller 206 may be variedso that, in certain configurations, emitter propeller 206 is driven byrotation of propeller 106 while, in other configurations, emitterpropeller 206 may be in a “feathered” configuration to provide minimalair resistance to rotation of propeller 106. Such a “feathered”configuration may be, for example, a configuration where emitterpropeller 206 is rotated parallel to the airflow resulting frompropeller 106 rotating along direction of rotation 250. The “feathered”configuration allows for propeller 106 to more efficiently rotate andgenerate power while emitter propeller 206 is not operating (e.g., mayminimize drag resulting from emitter propeller 206).

In certain embodiments, light 110 may also be powered by battery 212and/or generator 208 via circuitry 220. In other embodiments, light 110may be powered by power generated and/or stored by the windmill and/orfrom the grid. In certain embodiments, light 110 may be, for example, aLED, an incandescent bulb, and/or another light emitting source. Light110 may be configured to emit light as describe herein.

In various embodiments, light 110 may be operated in a continuouslyilluminated manner and/or in a periodically illuminated manner (e.g.,strobed). Operation of light 110 may be controlled by, for example,controller 204 and/or another controlled of the windmill. In certainembodiments, a determination may be made as to the manner to operatelight 110 (e.g., continuously or periodically illuminated) and thefrequency to be illuminated, if illuminated periodically (e.g.,strobed).

FIG. 2B illustrates another representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 2Billustrates system 200B that includes flying wildlife emitter 128 andpropeller 106. Flying wildlife emitter 128 may include speaker 202,controller 204, emitter propeller 206, generator 208, servo 210, battery212, circuitry 214, coupler 216, sensors 218, de-icer 222, and circuitry224. Propeller 106 may further include lights 110 and circuitry 220.Flying wildlife emitter 128 may, in certain embodiments, be removablycoupled to propeller 106 and/or semi-permanently coupled to propeller106, as described herein.

Speaker 202, controller 204, emitter propeller 206, generator 208, servo210, battery 212, circuitry 214, coupler 216, sensors 218, lights 110,and circuitry 220 may be similar to that described in FIG. 2A describedherein. As shown in FIG. 2B, servo 210 may have rotated emitterpropeller 206 into a featured configuration, to minimize drag forrotation of propeller 106. As such, generator 208 may currently not beneeded to provide power to flying wildlife emitter 128.

De-icer 222 may be configured to provide anti-icing or de-icingcapabilities for propeller 106. As such, de-icer 222 may, for example,provide heating capabilities that may prevent formation of ice and/ormelt ice that is formed on propeller 106. De-icer 222 may beelectrically coupled to generator 208 and/or battery 212 via circuitry224. Circuitry 224 may be electrical circuitry that delivers electricalpower to de-icer 222.

In certain embodiments, propeller 106 may be shaped to be efficientlypowered by wind. Formation of ice on propeller 106 may affect theaerodynamics of propeller 106, leading to less efficient operation ofpropeller 106 and, in certain situations, less power generated forcertain wind conditions. De-icer 222 may include, for example,electrically powered heating elements that, when powered, may generateheat for de-icing and/or anti-icing. De-icer 222, in certainembodiments, may be removably or semi-permanently coupled to propeller106 and may be, for example, flat heating elements that may be coupledto a surface of propeller 106. In certain other embodiments, de-icer 222may be semi-permanently coupled to propeller 106 and may include heatingelements disposed below a surface of propeller 106. It is appreciatedthat, in certain embodiments, de-icer 222 may be coupled to otherportions of the windmill, such as at the joints or on the nacelle, toprevent freezing.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further representation of a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 3illustrates system 300 that includes propeller 106, lights 110,circuitry 220 and 314, flying wildlife emitter 308, and generator 330.Flying wildlife emitter 308 may include speaker 202, controller 204,battery 212, coupler 216, and sensors 218. Speaker 202, controller 204,battery 212, coupler 216, and sensors 218 may be as described herein.Flying wildlife emitter 308 may be removably or semi-permanently coupledto propeller 106.

In certain embodiments, portions of flying wildlife emitter 308 (e.g.,speaker 202, controller 204, and/or sensors 218) may receive power fromgenerator 330. Generator 330 may be a generator powered by propeller106. As such, generator 330 may be any generator typically includedwithin windmills and configured to generate power for an electricalgrid. Thus, propeller 106 may be configured to be rotated by wind, torotate at least a portion of generator 330 to produce electrical power.

At least a portion of such power may power portions of flying wildlifeemitter 308 via circuitry 314. Additionally or alternatively, power fromgenerator 330 may be stored within battery 212 and power from battery212 may power portions of flying wildlife emitter 308. In certainembodiments, circuitry 314 may be hardwired between flying wildlifeemitter 308 and generator 330, but other embodiments may include variousconnectors that allow for coupling/decoupling of portions of circuitry314 and/or allow for flying wildlife emitter 308 to be removably coupledfrom propeller 106. Light 110 may also be powered by generator 330 viacircuitry 220 and/or may be powered by battery 212.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a controller system, in accordancewith one or more embodiments. According to various embodiments,controller 400 suitable for implementing embodiments described herein.Controller 400 includes processor 402, memory module 404, storage device406, interface 412, and bus 416 (e.g., a PCI bus or otherinterconnection fabric.) Controller 400 may operate as variety ofdevices such as a server system such as an application server and adatabase server, a client system such as a laptop, desktop, smartphone,tablet, wearable device, set top box, etc., or any other device orservice described herein. Although a particular configuration isdescribed, a variety of alternative configurations are possible.

Processor 402 may perform operations such as those described herein.Instructions for performing such operations may be embodied in memory404, on one or more non-transitory computer readable media, or on someother storage device. Various specially configured devices can also beused in place of or in addition to processor 402. Interface 412 may beconfigured to send and receive data packets over a network. Examples ofsupported interfaces include, but are not limited to: Ethernet, fastEthernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, Near Field Communications (NFC),frame relay, cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), token ring,Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), High-Speed Serial Interface (HSSI),and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). These interfaces mayinclude ports appropriate for communication with the appropriate media.They may also include an independent processor and/or volatile RAM. Acomputer system or computing device may include or communicate with amonitor, printer, or other suitable display for providing any of theresults mentioned herein to a user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow process for determining an output frequencyfor a flying wildlife emitter, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates a technique for determining thefrequencies of sound to be provided by the speaker of the flyingwildlife emitter.

In 502, data may be received that may indicate frequencies for operationof the speaker. Such data may include, for example, communications fromanother device (e.g., a windmill controller or a device with wirelesscommunications data communicated via Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or otherwireless communications protocol). Thus, for example, controller 204 mayinclude a communications module configured to wirelessly communicatewith external devices. Such external devices may provide data indicatingthe frequency and/or frequency range of sound that speaker 202 shouldproduce and the appropriate frequency and/or frequency range selected in504. In other embodiments, the external device may indicate the type ofwildlife to be deterred. Controller 204 may include data directedtowards the frequency ranges that each type of wildlife can hear soundswithin and/or recommended frequency ranges to deter each type ofwildlife. A frequency or frequency range may be accordingly selected in504. In certain other embodiments, controller 204 may receive data fromsensors 218 and may determine the type of wildlife (e.g., bird, bat,insect, the sizes thereof, and/or other characteristics) proximate tothe windmill from such data.

Thus, for example, sensors 218 may include visual or thermal cameras aswell as radar, lidar, and/or other sensors configured to determine theshape, size, and/or movement patterns of wildlife proximate thewindmill. As such, for example, sensors 218 may visually acquire theshape and/or size of wildlife proximate to the windmill. The shapeand/or size may be matched to data directed to shape and/or sizes ofpotential wildlife types. Such data may be stored within a database(e.g., within controller 204 and/or on a cloud database in communicationwith controller 204).

Furthermore, the type of wildlife may further be determined based ontheir thermal signature (e.g., their body temperature). Such factors maybe used to determine one or more candidate wildlife. A movement patternof the wildlife may also be determined (e.g., from video data). Thus,for example, bats may move in a manner that is different from that ofbirds, with different acceleration characteristics and changes ofdirection. Video data may capture such movements, controller 204 mayidentify such movements, and the movement of wildlife may accordingly beused to identify the type of wildlife.

Additionally or alternatively, sensors 218 may include one or more audiosensors. Such audio sensors may detect sound in a variety of ranges,including within ranges that are not inaudible to humans. The audiosensors may determine a tone of sound emitted by the wildlife. The toneof the wildlife may be accordingly matched to tones within a database,as described herein. As such, controller 204 may utilize data fromsensors 218 to determine the type of wildlife. In certain embodiments,machine learning may be performed to more accurately determine suchwildlife.

Based on the type of wildlife, the appropriate frequency may beselected, in 504. Based on the frequency and/or range of frequenciesdetermined in 504, sound of the appropriate frequency and/or frequencyrange may be output in 506 from speaker 202. In various embodiments,controller 204 may also select the appropriate amplitude or range ofamplitude of sound. In certain such embodiments, controller 204 may beconfigured to provide for an appropriate amplitude based on the detectedenvironmental conditions (e.g., temperature or wind conditions), thetype of wildlife, and/or the direction that wildlife is approachingfrom, and/or other factors in order to create an appropriate area aroundthe windmill from which wildlife is deterred. As such, for example, theamplitude of the sound generated may be varied to be more effective indeterring certain types of wildlife. If the presence of those types ofwildlife are identified, according to the techniques described herein,the sound amplitude may be accordingly varied (e.g., randomly orregularly). In certain embodiments, the amplitude of the sound may bespecified by the data received in 502.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow process for determining a rotational range ofa warning light, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 6illustrates a technique for illuminating light 110 for providing warningto other aircraft or other embodiments as to the presence of thewindmill. Typical windmills may have no warning lights or only include awarning light on top of the nacelle of the generator. The configurationdescribed herein and the technique of FIG. 6 allows for light 110 toprovide warning at a much higher height, increasing the safety ofwindmills. In various embodiments, light 110 may be present on one,some, or all propellers of a windmill.

In 602, orientation data is received from sensors 218 and/or one or moreother sensors coupled to the propeller of the windmill. Orientation datamay be data from an accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or other sensors thatmay detect the orientation of the propeller and/or where the propelleris in its rotation.

In 604, the rotational range for illumination of light 110 may bedetermined. The rotational range may be pre-programmed within controller204 and/or provided through data received by controller 204 (e.g., viawireless communications through Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or other wirelesscommunications protocol). For example, in certain embodiments,communications may be provided to controller 204 indicating therotational range.

The rotational range may be, for example, the entire rotation, the top60 degrees of rotation (e.g., the 30 degrees to either side of straightupward), the top 90 degrees of rotation, the top 180 degrees ofrotation, and/or another range. Based on the rotational range, light 110may be accordingly illuminated. Thus, for example, a determination maybe made, from sensors 218, that light 110 is within the rotationalranges specified. Light 110 may then accordingly be illuminated in 606.

FIG. 7 illustrates a representation of a windmill with a flying wildlifeemitter and an ultraviolet emitter, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates system 700 that includes windmill 702with flying wildlife emitters 708 and ultraviolet (UV) emitters 730.

Windmill 702 may include nacelle 704. Nacelle 704 may be similar tonacelle 104, as described herein, and may, for example, house anelectrical generator that is configured to generate electrical power.Propeller 706 may be configured to be powered by wind (e.g., spun by thewind) to drive the electrical generator and, thus, generate electricalpower. Rotation of propeller 706 may create zone 740. Zone 740 may be azone where wildlife, such as flying wildlife, are susceptible to injuryor death due to the operation of windmills, when propeller 706 is beingrotated. Though zone 740, in FIG. 7, is shown as being the airspace thatpropeller 706 rotates within, other embodiments of zone 740 may includeareas around propeller 706 that, though propeller 706 does not rotatethrough such an area, may still otherwise affect wildlife from rotationof propeller 706 (e.g., through wind or pressure differences generatedby the rotation of propeller 706). Flying wildlife emitters 708 may beconfigured to provide soundwaves audible to the wildlife to divertwildlife away from zone 740.

Windmill 702 may further include one or more UV emitters 730. UVemitters 730 may be configured to emit UV light. In various embodiments,UV emitters 730 may be powered by electrical systems of flying wildlifeemitter 708, electrical systems of windmill 702, and/or include its ownpower source. UV emitters 730 may be configured to emit light within atleast the ultraviolet spectrum.

In various embodiments UV emitters 730 may be removably orsemi-permanently coupled to windmill 702. Thus, for example, in certainembodiments, UV emitters 730 may be removably coupled to windmill 702and may be powered by power generated by flying wildlife emitters 708and/or its own source of power. For example, UV emitters 730 may includea solar panel and a battery. An embodiment of UV emitter 730 is furtherdescribed in FIG. 8.

Certain species of wildlife, such as certain birds and bats, may be ableto detect UV light. Such species may, for example, utilize UV light forfeeding purposes and/or for navigation. Thus, such species may beattracted to UV light and may instinctively fly towards UV light.

UV emitters 730 may be configured to emit such UV lights (e.g., UV lightin wavelengths that may be attractive to the wildlife). As such, certainsuch species of wildlife may be attracted to the UV light emitted by UVemitters 730. UV emitters 730 may, thus, be placed within a center ofpropeller 706 (e.g., zone 742, which may be a deadzone safe forwildlife) and/or on a portion of post 728. Post 728 may be a structuralsupport for propeller 706 and/or nacelle 704 and may raise propeller 706and/or nacelle 704 away from the ground. Propeller 706 and/or nacelle704 may, thus, be coupled to post 728. In such embodiments, UV emitters730 may be positioned away from zone 740, such as low on post 728. Thus,one or more UV emitters 730 may be positioned within zone 744, which maybe an area that is safe for wildlife 714 to be within.

In certain embodiments, additional UV emitters may be positioned aroundwindmill 702. Thus, for example, structures 732 may be separate fromwindmill 702, may be positioned around windmill 702, and may include UVemitters 734. UV emitters 734 may be similar to UV emitters 730 and may,accordingly, be configured to emit UV light that is attractive tocertain wildlife (e.g., wildlife 714). UV emitters 734 may be locatedaway from zone 740 to attract wildlife away from zone 740. In certainsuch embodiments, UV emitters 734 may be positioned within zone 744 toattract wildlife 714 away from zone 740 and, possibly, towards zone 744.

In various embodiments, a network of UV emitters may be disposed aroundan area containing windmills to attract wildlife away from thepropellers of the windmills (e.g., from the respective zone 740 of thewindmills). In certain such embodiments, UV emitters and flying wildlifeemitters may be combined in operation, with the flying wildlife emittersrepelling wildlife from such zones and UV emitters attracting wildlifeaway from such zones.

In other embodiments, UV emitters and/or other such lights may beconfigured to emit light in wavelengths that may repeal certainwildlife. In such embodiments, the UV emitters may be positioned withinor proximate to locations where it may be desirable to repel wildlifefrom such locations (e.g. on propeller 706 to repel wildlife from zone740).

In certain embodiments, system 700 may further include sensors 736.Sensors 736 may, for example, be disposed on windmill 702 or away fromwindmill 702. Sensors 736 may be powered by one or more techniques asdescribed herein and may provide data to one or more controllersdescribed herein to allow for determination of a presence and/or type ofwildlife proximate to windmill 702. Accordingly, sensors 736 may besimilar to sensors 218. In certain embodiments, flying wildlife emittersand/or UV emitters may be operated if the appropriate type of wildlifeis determined to be within the vicinity of windmill 702. Thus, forexample, if no wildlife that is attracted to UV light is within thevicinity of windmill 702, UV emitters may not be operated. However, ifwildlife that is attracted to UV lights, such as bats, is determined tobe within the vicinity of windmill 702, UV emitters may be operated toattract such wildlife away from, for example, zone 740.

FIG. 8 illustrates a representation of an ultraviolet emitter, inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, UV emitter730 may include coupler 816. Coupler 816 may be similar to coupler 216and may allow for UV emitter 730 to be removably or semi-permanentlymounted.

UV emitter 730 may additionally include UV light 830, controller 804,power generator 808, battery 812, circuitry 814, and sensors 818. UVlight 830 may be a light configured to generate light within at leastthe ultraviolet wavelengths. Circuitry 814, as described herein, mayinclude electrical wiring and/or other circuitry configured to provideelectrical power. Circuitry 814 may also include wired or wirelesscommunications techniques that may communicate data.

Sensors 818 may include, for example, visual, infrared, radar, lidar,sound, and/or other types of sensors that may collect data related tothe environment around the windmill, communicate the data to controller804, and allow for controller 804 to determine the types of wildlifenearby. Controller 804 may be a controller with one or more memories andprocessors, as described herein, and may be configured to controloperations of portions of UV emitter 730. Thus, for example, controller804 may receive data from sensors 818, determine that wildlife (whichmay be attracted to UV light) is present around a windmill, and operateUV light 830 accordingly.

Power generator 808 may be configured to produce electrical power foroperation of UV emitter 730. Thus, power generator 808 may include oneor more of a kinetic powered electrical generator, a solar panel, apropeller powered generator, and/or another device that may generatepower. Battery 812 may receive and store power from power generator 808.Electrical power stored by battery 812 may, accordingly, be utilized tooperate UV emitter 730.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow process for operating a windmill with a flyingwildlife emitter and an ultraviolet emitter, in accordance with one ormore embodiments. In 902, wildlife data from one or more sensors may bereceived. Such wildlife data may indicate the presence of and/or a typeof wildlife that may be located proximate to the windmill.

Based on the wildlife data, the presence of the wildlife and/or the typeof wildlife (e.g., birds, bats, bugs, and/or the species thereof) may bedetermined in 904. Based on the determination of the presence and/or thetype of wildlife, a determination may be made to operate one or both ofUV emitters or flying wildlife emitters.

According to the determination to operate one or both of UV emitters orflying wildlife emitters, the UV emitter and/or flying wildlife emittermay be operated in 906 and 908, respectively. Thus, for example, theflying wildlife emitter may be operated to generate sounds of certainfrequency and the UV emitter may be operated to generate UV light. Incertain such situations, only one of the flying wildlife emitter or UVemitter may be operated, if a determination is made that the type ofwildlife is not deterred by sound and/or is not attracted to UV light.However, in other situations, both of the flying wildlife emittersand/or UV emitters may be operated (e.g., if a determination is madethat the wildlife is deterred by sound and attracted to UV light).

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow process for operating a light of a windmill,in accordance with one or more embodiments. In 1002, a determination maybe made as to whether to continuously or periodically illuminate thelight of the windmill. Such a light may be disposed on, for example, atip of the windmill blade. The determination may be made based on, forexample, wildlife data received from one or more sensors. The wildlifedata may indicate the presence of and/or a type of wildlife that may belocated proximate to the windmill and operation of the light may bedetermined accordingly (e.g., certain types of wildlife may be moreefficiently deterred from the blades of the windmill based on strobinglights while other types of wildlife may be more efficiently deterredwith continuously illuminated lights).

If a determination is made to solidly illuminate the light, the lightmay be solidly (e.g., continuously) illuminated in 1004. Thus, if thelight is disposed on a tip of the propeller blade, the light may beilluminated throughout the rotation of the propeller.

If a determination is made to periodically illuminate the light, thefrequency of the periodic illumination may be determined in 1006.Certain wildlife may be better deterred from the propeller blades if thelight is periodically illuminated at certain frequencies. The light maybe periodically illuminated in any frequency. For example, the light maybe periodically illuminated randomly, at a frequency to match therotation speed of the propeller blade so that the light and, thus, thepropeller blade, appears to be stationary, strobed at a rate so that thelight/propeller blade appears to be rotating forward at a different ratethan the speed of rotation, strobed at a rate so that thelight/propeller blade appears to be rotating backwards, and/or otherwiseilluminated in a frequency that may otherwise allow for sensoryperception of wildlife or a type of wildlife to better notice and/oravoid the propeller blades. The light may be accordingly illuminatedbased on the determined frequency, in 1008.

Any of the techniques described herein may be utilized in windmillsand/or operation thereof. While various specific implementations havebeen particularly shown and described, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that changes in the form and details of the disclosedimplementations may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof this disclosure. In addition, although various advantages, aspects,and objects have been discussed herein with reference to variousimplementations, it will be understood that the scope of this disclosureshould not be limited by reference to such advantages, aspects, andobjects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A windmill comprising: a generator; a pluralityof windmill propellers, coupled to the generator and comprising at leasta first windmill propeller; a first flying wildlife emitter, coupled tothe first windmill propeller, wherein the first flying wildlife emittercomprises a speaker configured to generate soundwaves audible to atleast one of birds or bats; a post coupled to the generator; and anultraviolet emitter, disposed on the post, and configured to generateultraviolet wavelength light.
 2. The windmill of claim 1, wherein thespeaker is configured to generate soundwaves of between 9 to 200 kHz infrequency.
 3. The windmill of claim 1, wherein the speaker is configuredto generate soundwaves of between 1 to 4 kHz in frequency.
 4. Thewindmill of claim 1, wherein the plurality of windmill propellers rotatewithin a first zone, and wherein the ultraviolet emitter is disposedwithin a second zone separate from the first zone.
 5. The windmill ofclaim 1, wherein the first flying wildlife emitter further comprises anemitter generator, electrically coupled to the speaker and configured togenerate electrical power to power the speaker.
 6. The windmill of claim5, wherein the first flying wildlife emitter further comprises: acommunications module; and an emitter controller, communicativelycoupled to the communications module and configured to: receivecommunications data from the communications module; determine, from thecommunications data, a first frequency range; and cause the speaker togenerate the soundwaves within the first frequency range.
 7. Thewindmill of claim 5, wherein the first flying wildlife emitter furthercomprises: an emitter propeller, coupled to the emitter generator andconfigured to rotate a portion of the electrical generator.
 8. Thewindmill of claim 7, wherein the first flying wildlife emitter furthercomprises: a servo, coupled to the emitter propeller and configured tochange a pitch of the emitter propeller.
 9. The windmill of claim 8,wherein the servo is configured change the pitch of the emitterpropeller to a feathered configuration, wherein the featheredconfiguration comprises orienting blades of the emitter propeller to anangle parallel to airflow, and wherein the angle parallel to the airflowis parallel to airflow resulting from movement of the windmillpropellers.
 10. The windmill of claim 7, wherein the first flyingwildlife emitter further comprises: a battery, electrically coupled tothe emitter generator and configured to store electrical power generatedby the emitter generator.
 11. The windmill of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first light, disposed on a tip of the first windmillpropeller.
 12. The windmill of claim 11, further comprising: anaccelerometer and/or gyroscope, disposed within the first windmillpropeller and configured to orientation data of the first windmillpropeller; and a windmill controller, communicatively coupled to theaccelerometer and/or the gyroscope and configured to: receive theorientation data; determine, from the orientation data, that the firstwindmill propeller is within a rotational range; and cause the firstlight to illuminate based on the determination.
 13. The windmill ofclaim 1, wherein the first flying wildlife emitter is removably coupledto the first windmill propeller.
 14. The windmill of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of windmill propellers further comprises a second windmillpropeller, and wherein the windmill further comprises: a second flyingwildlife emitter, coupled to the second windmill propeller.
 15. A systemcomprising: a windmill comprising: a generator; a plurality of windmillpropellers, coupled to the generator and comprising at least a firstwindmill propeller; and a first flying wildlife emitter, coupled to thefirst windmill propeller, wherein the first flying wildlife emittercomprises a speaker configured to generate soundwaves audible to atleast one of birds or bats; and an ultraviolet emitter, configured togenerate ultraviolet wavelength light.
 16. The system of claim 15,further comprising: a structure, separate from the windmill, wherein theultraviolet emitter is coupled to the structure.
 17. The system of claim15, wherein the plurality of windmill propellers rotate within a firstzone, and wherein the ultraviolet emitter is disposed within a secondzone separate from the first zone.
 18. The system of claim 15, whereinthe ultraviolet emitter comprises: a ultraviolet light; a sensor; and acontroller, communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to:receive data from the sensor and determine a presence of wildlife; andoperate, based on the determination of the presence of the wildlife, theultraviolet light.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the ultravioletemitter comprises a power generator.
 20. The system of claim 19, whereinthe first flying wildlife emitter further comprises: a battery,electrically coupled to the power generator and configured to storeelectrical power generated by the power generator.